This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of
Washington. We are met to celebrate this day. Washington is the
mightiest name on earth--long since mightiest in the cause of
civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that
name an eulogy is expected. It can not be. To add brightness to
the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible.
Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name and in its
naked, deathless splendor leave it shining on.
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
A nobleness to try for,
A name to live and die for.
A nobleness to try for,
A name to live and die for.
The defender of his country--the founder of liberty,
The friend of man,
History and tradition are explored read more
The defender of his country--the founder of liberty,
The friend of man,
History and tradition are explored in vain
For a parallel to his character.
In the annals of modern greatness
He stands alone;
And the noblest names of antiquity
Lose their lustre in his presence.
Born the benefactor of mankind,
He united all the greatness necessary
To an illustrious career.
Nature made him great,
He made himself virtuous.
Every countenance seeked to say, "Long live George Washington,
the Father of the People."
Every countenance seeked to say, "Long live George Washington,
the Father of the People."
Our common Father and Deliverer, to whose prudence, wisdom and
valour we owe our Peace, Liberty and Safety, now read more
Our common Father and Deliverer, to whose prudence, wisdom and
valour we owe our Peace, Liberty and Safety, now leads and
directs in the great councils of the nation . . . and now we
celebrate an independent Government--an original Constitution!
an independent Legislature, at the head of which we this day
celebrate, The Father of his Country--We celebrate Washington!
We celebrate an independent Empire!
That name was a power to rally a nation in the hour of
thick-thronging public disasters and calamities; that read more
That name was a power to rally a nation in the hour of
thick-thronging public disasters and calamities; that name shone
amid the storm of war, a beacon light to cheer and guide the
country's friends; it flamed too like a meteor to repel her foes.
While Washington hath left
His awful memory,
A light for after times.
While Washington hath left
His awful memory,
A light for after times.
O Washington! thrice glorious name,
What due rewards can man decree--
Empires are far below thy aim,
read more
O Washington! thrice glorious name,
What due rewards can man decree--
Empires are far below thy aim,
And scepters have no charms for thee;
Virtue alone has your regards,
And she must be your great reward.
America has furnished to the world the character of Washington!
And if our American institutions had done nothing else, read more
America has furnished to the world the character of Washington!
And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that
alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind.
That name descending with all time, spreading over the whole
earth, and uttered in all the languages belonging to read more
That name descending with all time, spreading over the whole
earth, and uttered in all the languages belonging to all tribes
and races of men, will forever be pronounced with affectionate
gratitude by everyone in whose breast there shall arise an
aspiration for human rights and liberty.
